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Frequently Asked Questions

Over the years we have been asked many questions about Chiropractic. Here are some of them and some simple answers.

These answers have to general, however if you have more specific questions you are welcome to call or email the office and someone will be happy to help and provide personal answers to your particular questions.

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects.

The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current literature shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.

Neck pain and some types of headaches are treated through precise cervical manipulation. Cervical manipulation, often called a neck adjustment, works to improve joint mobility in the neck, restoring range of motion and reducing muscle spasm, which helps relieve pressure and tension.
Then there are the very rare risks of infrequent strain/injury to a ligament or disc in the neck (less than 1 in 139,000) or the low back (1 in 62,000) There is also an extremely rare risk of stroke associated with adjustments of the neck which all published studies agree is extremely low, research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal puts it to one in 5.85 million adjustments.

Neck manipulation is a remarkably safe procedure. If you are visiting your Doctor of Chiropractic with upper-neck pain or headache, be very specific about your symptoms. This will help your Doctor of Chiropractic to offer the safest and most effective treatment, even if it involves referral to another health care provider.

It is important for patients to understand the risks associated with some of the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain -- prescription and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- as these treatments may carry risks significantly greater than those of chiropractic manipulation. According to a study from the American Journal of Gastroenterology, approximately one-third of all hospitalizations and deaths related to gastrointestinal bleeding can be attributed to the use of aspirin or NSAID painkillers like ibuprofen.

Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a manual procedure that utilizes the highly refined skills developed during the intensive years of chiropractic education. The chiropractor typically uses his/her hands to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the spine, in order to reduce pain, and restore or enhance joint function. Chiropractic manipulation is a highly controlled procedure that rarely causes discomfort. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. Patients often note positive changes in their symptoms immediately following treatment.
Chiropractic adjustments don't always involve or need a "crack" as there are various techniques we use that don't involve "cracking" the joint, including drop piece, activator and soft tissue techniques. As everyone's neurology is unique the treatment protocol needs to be individually designed as the amount of stimulation required for maximum benifit varies from person to person. As always if there is discomfort in any of the techniques others can be implemented allowing for care without having to get the "crack"

Chiropractors are primary health care professionals that focus on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health.

We have patients presenting with all kinds of problems ranging from difficulty sleeping, babies with colic, concentration, behavioural problems, emotional imbalances, pregnancy issues, balance and neurological problems as well as headaches, neck and back pain - plus many more!!

Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including stiffness, soreness or discomfort. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle.

Chiropractors are educated as primary contact healthcare practitioners, with an emphasis on musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractic is a 5 year degree with its foundations in anatomy, neurology, physiology, pathology and 600+ hours of chiropractic technique classes.

A chiropractic college grants a D.C. or Doctorate of Chiropractic degree. Chiropractors are licensed as health care providers in every U.S. state and dozens of countries around the world. While the competition for acceptance in chiropractic school is not as fierce as medical school, the chiropractic and medical school curricula are extremely rigorous and with many subjects being identical. As part of their education, chiropractic students also complete a residency working with real patients in a clinical setting, supervised by licensed doctors of chiropractic.
Just like medical doctors, chiropractors are professionals that are subject to the same type of testing procedures, licensing and monitoring by state and national peer-reviewed boards. Federal and state programs, such as ACC cover chiropractic care, and all federal agencies accept sick-leave certificates signed by Doctors of Chiropractic.

The biggest difference between chiropractors and medical doctors lies not in their level of education, but in their preferred method of caring for people. Medical doctors are trained in the use of medicines (chemicals that affect your internal biochemistry) and surgery. Consequently, if you have a chemical problem, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, or an infection, medical doctors can be very helpful. However, if your problem is that your spine is mis-aligned or you have soft tissue damage causing pain, there is no chemical in existence that can fix it. You need a physical solution to correct a physical problem. That is where chiropractic really shines. Chiropractors provide physical solutions -- adjustments, exercises, stretches, muscle therapy -- to help the body heal from conditions that are physical in origin, such as back pain, muscle spasms, headaches, and poor posture. Another distinction is the fact that it is completely appropriate to receive chiropractic care even if you do not have symptoms. Just like it is important to get a health check-up regularly from your medical doctor, chiropractors offer adjustments to improve spinal alignment and overall well-being before symptoms develop.

At Calder Chiropractic Centre we DO NOT sign you up for a year of Chiropractic Care. You choose how long you wish to benefit from the care you receive at Calder Chiropractic Centre. We value individual choice and finding a solution that works for you!

The hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment is essentially what requires patients to visit the chiropractor a number of times. To be treated by a chiropractor, a patient needs to be in his or her office. In contrast, a course of treatment from medical doctors often involves a pre-established plan that is conducted at home (i.e. taking a course of antibiotics once a day for a couple of weeks). A chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care thus making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary. Your Doctor of Chiropractic should tell you the extent of treatment recommended and how long you can expect it to last.

Many people have heard that if you start going to a chiropractor you have to continue. This is only partially true. You only have to continue going to the chiropractor as long as you wish to maintain the health of your neuromusculoskeletal system. Everybody’s system is unique and responds differently, some can reach optimal health much faster than others depending on their lifestyle and their history. Due to the ever-changing nature of our lifestyles and with different stressors continuously affecting us, going to a chiropractor is much like going to the dentist, exercising at a gym, or eating a healthy diet: As long as you keep it up, you continue to enjoy the benefits.

Many years ago, dentists convinced everyone that the best time to go to the dentist is before your teeth hurt, that routine dental care will help your teeth remain healthy for a long time. The same is true of chiropractic care for your body. It is important to remember that, just like your teeth, your spine experiences normal wear and tear as you walk, drive, sit, lift, sleep, and bend. Routine chiropractic care can help you feel better, move with more freedom, and stay healthier throughout your lifetime. Although you can enjoy the benefits of chiropractic care even if you receive care for a short time, the real benefits come into play when you make chiropractic care a part of your wellness lifestyle.

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